Our "
telepathology server" at the University of Basel is used by a number of pathologists from around the world for second opinion consultations. At the moment there are pathologists from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fidji, France, Germany, Laos, India, Iran, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand and USA. Further Pathologists are most welcome.
Existing Applications
- Samedan: The hospital in Samedan is a small regional hospital in the Swiss Apls without a resident pathologist. iPath-Telemicroscopy is used regularly to provide frozen section diagnosis. If a pathologists advise is requested during an operation in Samedan, tissue is prepared and placed under the microscope there. A pathologist from the Department of Pathology in Basel can remote control this microscope from his PC and give his diagnosis to the surgeon in Samedan.
- AGKT: Memebers of the German bone tumor working group are regularly using iPath to discuss difficult cases with their collegues. Images and case description are stored on the server, the server sends an email notification to all members of the working group who then give their oppinions which are collected on the server. Within a week, there are usually half a dozen of second oppinions on a new case.
- The 'Ukrainian Swiss Neonatology Programme' is using iPath for second opinion consultations between several provincal neonatology centres in Ukraine and partner specialists in Switzerland.
- Telepathology Network in Washington State: The INHS (Inland Northwest Health Service) has funded a telepathology network for the Spokane (WA) region which is mainly intended to provide support for the rural hospitals of the inland region. Pathologists and Lab Techs at the Sacred Heart Medical Center and at the Holy Family Hospital in Spokane are now able to back up labs in rural hospitals, help with remote frozen sections and do consultations among each other. The network is based on iPath Software.
- Pathology for the Solomon Islands: In September 2001, we had the chance to start a very exciting experiment. At the National Referral Hospital of Honiara, Solomon Islands, we helped to install a tiny histology lab. Specimen are now prepared there and digital images are sent to our server in Basel, where a number of Pathologists from Europe and US review the cases and give their diagnosis. In the Solomons itself, there is no pathologists at all.
- Telehealth in West Africa The Norwegian Krooman Group has started providing a e-health vortal for West Africa, called West African Doctor's Network (WADN). The WADN is providing health information for health workers in West Africa and a platform for inner African consultations as well as collaboration and consultation with specialists from overseas. The telemedicine part is implemented with iPath-Server.
- Telemedicine Network for the Eastern Cape province of South Africa: The Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, South Africa, has launched a regional telemedicine network based on iPath-Server. The network is already used successfully to provide dermatology consultations to rural clinics in the former Transkei. (http://telemed.utr.ac.za)
